An Indianapolis man who
formerly worked as a police officer has been sentenced to 40 years in prison
for using police credentials and firearms to protect illegal drug shipments.
John Smith, 56, was found
guilty in June of conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, two
counts of attempting to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more
of cocaine, two counts of possessing firearms in furtherance of a federal drug
trafficking crime and transferring firearms knowing that they would be used in
a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. Attorney David Capp
announced Smith’s sentence on Friday in Hammond.
Smith had previously served as
an officer with three different Indiana police departments: Brooklyn,
Knightstown and Stinesville.
The former officer was no
longer involved in police work when caught participating in the illegal
activities, authorities said in a statement, but Smith illegally used police
credentials from his past employment when he carried out drug transactions.
Terry Carlyle, a former
Brooklyn marshal and Indianapolis Police Department officer, was a
co-conspirator with Smith, according to a release. Carlyle, who cooperated with
the government, was sentenced in September to 10 years in prison.
“We will continue to
investigate public corruption, including police corruption,” Capp said in a
prepared statement, “and will vigorously prosecute and, upon conviction, seek
substantial sentences for officers, current or former, who abuse the public
trust.”
Federal authorities worked with
local police agencies to investigate and arrest Smith, according to the release.